U.S. patent number 10,385,988 [Application Number 15/599,046] was granted by the patent office on 2019-08-20 for universal remote mount damper linkage.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Johnson Controls Technology Company. The grantee listed for this patent is Johnson Controls Technology Company. Invention is credited to Russell T. Jenks.
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United States Patent |
10,385,988 |
Jenks |
August 20, 2019 |
Universal remote mount damper linkage
Abstract
A remote mount kit for a damper in an HVAC system is provided.
The remote mount kit includes a mounting bracket. The mounting
bracket includes a first mounting flange having a first mounting
hole pattern and a second mounting flange having a second mounting
hole pattern. The remote kit also includes a drive shaft having a
first drive end and a second drive end. The first drive end and the
second drive end are configured to couple to an actuator. The
remote kit further includes a crank shaft and a connector
configured to couple the crank shaft to the damper. A dimension
between the holes of the first mounting hole pattern is smaller
than a dimension between the holes of the second mounting hole
pattern.
Inventors: |
Jenks; Russell T. (Racine,
WI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Johnson Controls Technology Company |
Plymouth |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Johnson Controls Technology
Company (Auburn Hills, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
64269955 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/599,046 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180335227 A1 |
Nov 22, 2018 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K
31/52 (20130101); F24F 13/1426 (20130101); F24F
2013/1446 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16K
31/52 (20060101); F24F 13/14 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
US. Appl. No. 62/404,636, filed Oct. 5, 2016, Johnson Controls
Technology Company. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Tietjen; Marina A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Foley & Lardner LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A remote mount kit for a damper in an HVAC system comprising: a
mounting bracket comprising: a first mounting flange having a first
mounting hole pattern comprising a plurality of holes; and a second
mounting flange having a second mounting hole pattern comprising a
plurality of holes; a drive shaft comprising a first drive end and
a second drive end, the first drive end and the second drive end
configured to couple to an actuator; a crank arm comprising a slot;
and a connector coupled to the slot and configured to couple the
crank arm to the damper; wherein a dimension between the plurality
of holes of the first mounting hole pattern is smaller than a
dimension between the plurality of holes of the second mounting
hole pattern.
2. The remote mount kit of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket
comprises at least one bracket mounting flange configured to couple
the remote mount kit to a mounting surface.
3. The remote mount kit of claim 2, wherein the mounting surface is
an interior surface of an air duct.
4. The remote mount kit of claim 1, wherein the connector is a ball
and socket connector.
5. The remote mount kit of claim 1, wherein both the first drive
end and the second drive end have a substantially square shape.
6. The remote mount kit of claim 5, wherein a width of the first
drive end is smaller than a width of the second drive end.
7. The remote mount kit of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft further
comprises a knurled portion between the first drive end and the
second drive end.
8. The remote mount kit of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is
configured to protrude through the first mounting flange and the
second mounting flange.
9. A system for coupling an actuator to a damper, the system
comprising: an actuator comprising a drive mechanism; a damper
comprising a damper blade movable between an open position and a
closed position; and a remote mount kit comprising a mounting
bracket having a first mounting hole pattern and a second mounting
hole pattern, a drive shaft, a crank arm comprising a slot, and a
connector coupled to the slot; wherein the remote mount kit is
configured to couple the drive mechanism of the actuator to the
damper to drive the damper between the open position and the closed
position.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the drive shaft comprises a
first drive end and a second drive end, and wherein at least one of
the first drive end and the second drive end is configured to
couple to the drive mechanism of the actuator.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein both the first drive end and
the second drive end have a substantially square shape.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein a width of the first drive end
is smaller than a width of the second drive end.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the drive shaft further
comprises a knurled portion between the first drive end and the
second drive end.
14. The system of claim 9, wherein both the first mounting hole
pattern and the second mounting hole pattern have a square
shape.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein a width of the first mounting
hole pattern is smaller than a width of the second mounting hole
pattern.
16. The system of claim 9, wherein the connector is a ball and
socket connector.
17. A universal remote mount kit to couple an actuator to a damper
in an HVAC system comprising: a mounting bracket comprising a first
actuator mounting flange having a plurality of holes in a first
square pattern; a drive shaft configured to couple to a drive
mechanism of an actuator, comprising a first end having a
substantially square shape configured to protrude through the first
actuator mounting flange; a crank arm coupled to the drive shaft
and comprising a slot; and a damper connector configured to couple
to the slot of the crank arm.
18. The universal remote mount kit of claim 17, wherein the
mounting bracket further comprises at least one bracket mounting
flange configured to couple the universal remote mount kit to an
interior surface of an air duct.
19. The universal remote mount kit of claim 17, wherein: the
mounting bracket further comprises a second actuator mounting
flange having a plurality of holes in a second square pattern; the
drive shaft further comprises a second end having a substantially
square shape configured to protrude through the second actuator
mounting flange; and wherein a width of the first square pattern is
smaller than a width of the second square pattern.
Description
BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of
accessories for HVAC components. The present disclosure relates
more particularly to a universal remote mount linkage for a
damper.
In an HVAC system, a flow control unit such as a variable air
volume box or an air handling unit may include a damper for
regulating the rate of gas or fluid flow. The damper may variably
open and close to adjust the flow rate of a controlled gas or fluid
(e.g., air) through the flow control unit. Often the opening and
closing of the damper is accomplished by an actuator. Although many
dampers include a damper shaft that is directly linked to the
actuator and a damper blade, in some instances, this direct linkage
is not possible due to size constraints or a lack of compatibility
between the mounting interfaces of the actuator and the damper.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a remote mount
kit for a damper in an HVAC system. The remote mount kit includes a
mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a first mounting
flange having a first mounting hole pattern and a second mounting
flange having a second mounting hole pattern. The remote kit also
includes a drive shaft having a first drive end and a second drive
end. The first drive end and the second drive end are configured to
couple to an actuator. The remote kit further includes a crank
shaft and a connector configured to couple the crank shaft to the
damper. A dimension between the holes of the first mounting hole
pattern is smaller than a dimension between the holes of the second
mounting hole pattern.
In some embodiments, the mounting bracket includes at least one
bracket mounting flange configured to couple the remote mount kit
to a mounting surface. In other embodiments, the mounting surface
is an interior surface of an air duct.
In some embodiments, the connector is a ball and socket
connector.
In some embodiments, both the first drive end and the second drive
end have a substantially square shape. In other embodiments, the
width of the first drive end is smaller than the width of the
second drive end.
In some embodiments, the drive shaft includes a knurled portion
between the first drive end and the second drive end.
In some embodiments, the crank shaft further includes a slot and
the connector is configured to couple to the slot.
In some embodiments, the drive shaft is configured to protrude
through the first mounting flange and the second mounting
flange.
Another implementation of the present disclosure is a system for
coupling an actuator to a damper. The system includes an actuator
with a drive mechanism, a damper including a damper blade movable
between an open position and a closed position, and a remote mount
kit. The remote mount kit includes a mounting bracket having a
first mounting hole pattern and a second mounting hole pattern, a
drive shaft, a crank shaft, and a connector. The remote mount kit
is configured to couple the drive mechanism of the actuator to the
damper to drive the damper between the open position and the closed
position.
In some embodiments, the drive shaft has a first drive end and a
second drive end, and at least one of the first end and the second
end is configured to couple to the drive mechanism of the actuator.
In other embodiments, both the first drive end and the second drive
end have a substantially square shape. In other embodiments, the
width of the first drive end is smaller than the width of the
second drive end.
In some embodiments, the drive shaft further comprises a knurled
portion between the first drive end and the second drive end.
In some embodiments, both the first mounting hole pattern and the
second mounting hole pattern have a square shape. In other
embodiments, the width of the first mounting hole pattern is
smaller than the width of the second mounting hole pattern.
In some embodiments, the connector is a ball and socket
connector.
Another implementation of the present disclosure is a universal
remote mount kit to couple an actuator to a damper in an HVAC
system. The universal remote mount kit includes a mounting bracket.
The mounting bracket includes a first actuator mounting flange
having holes in a first square pattern. The universal remote mount
kit also includes a drive shaft configured to couple to a drive
mechanism of an actuator. The drive shaft includes a first end
having a substantially square shape configured to protrude through
the first actuator mounting flange. The universal remote mount kit
further includes a crank shaft coupled to the drive shaft. The
crank shaft includes a slot and a damper connector is configured to
couple to the slot of the crank shaft.
In some embodiments, the mounting bracket also includes a bracket
mounting flange configured to couple the universal remote mount kit
to an interior surface of an air duct.
In some embodiments, the mounting bracket further includes a second
actuator mounting flange having holes in a second square pattern,
the drive shaft further includes a second end having a
substantially square shape configured to protrude through the
second actuator mounting flange, and the width of the first square
pattern is smaller than the width of the second square pattern.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a universal remote mount kit,
according to some embodiments.
FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the universal remote mount
kit of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the universal remote mount kit
of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a universal remote mount assembly,
according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Before turning to the FIGURES, which illustrate the exemplary
embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the disclosure
is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the
description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be
understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description
only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Referring generally to the FIGURES, a universal remote mount kit
for a damper in an HVAC system is shown, according to some
embodiments. The damper may be attached to an actuator that is
utilized to drive the damper between an open position and a closed
position. By variably opening and closing, the damper may regulate
the flow rate (e.g., volumetric flow rate, flow velocity, mass flow
rate) through a flow control unit such as a variable air volume box
or an air handling unit. When space permits and the interface
between the damper and the actuator is compatible, a linkage arm of
the damper may be directly driven by the actuator without the use
of any intermediary devices or components. However, in certain
instances, for example when there is not sufficient space to mount
the actuator proximate to the damper, or in a retrofit application
where the damper and actuator interfaces are not compatible, the
actuator may be remotely mounted from the damper. In these
instances, it is useful to provide a remote mount kit that links
the drive mechanism of the actuator to the damper.
Thus, systems and methods described below provide a kit that links
the actuator to the damper and permits the actuator to be remotely
mounted from the damper in some embodiments. Previous solutions to
the remote mount kit are generally customized to the particular
characteristics (e.g., model number, series number, style) of the
actuator and the damper. However, this customization significantly
increases the cost of the remote mount kit, due to design costs,
tooling costs, and the low volume of parts involved. Thus, some
embodiments of the remote mount kit described below with reference
to FIGS. 1-4 are designed to utilize the mounting interface already
included on many HVAC actuators to couple the actuator to a drive
shaft and linkage or crank arm. The crank arm couples to a damper
connector such that when the drive shaft and the crank arm rotate
due to the drive mechanism of the actuator, the damper is also
driven between its open position and closed position. To make the
make the remote mount kit as widely usable as possible, the remote
mount kit includes actuator interfaces of multiple sizes, and the
remote mount kit itself is able to be both assembled and mounted in
multiple orientations.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, views of a universal remote mount kit 100
are depicted, according to some embodiments. Referring specifically
to FIGS. 1-2, the universal remote mount kit 100 is shown to
include, among other components, a mounting bracket 102, a drive
shaft 112, a crank arm 134, a coupling bolt 140, and a ball socket
connector 148. Mounting bracket 102 may be configured to couple to
an actuator 200 (described below with reference to FIG. 4). In some
embodiments, mounting bracket 102 includes a first actuator
mounting flange 104 and a second actuator mounting flange 106.
First actuator mounting flange 104 is shown to include a first
actuator mounting hole pattern 118, while second actuator mounting
flange 106 is shown to include a second actuator mounting hole
pattern 126. In some embodiments, both the first actuator mounting
flange 104 and the second actuator mounting flange 106 may be
configured to receive mounting features (e.g., posts) included on
the mounting interface of the actuator. For example, in some
embodiments, the mounting features may be anti-rotation posts that
are normally utilized when mounting an actuator to a ball valve
(e.g., the VG1000 series ball valve sold by Johnson Controls,
Inc.). In other embodiments, only one side of mounting bracket 102
is configured to couple to an actuator (e.g., via first actuator
mounting hole pattern 118), and thus second actuator mounting hole
pattern 126 may be omitted from mounting bracket 102.
In various embodiments, first actuator mounting hole pattern 118
has different dimensions from second actuator mounting hole pattern
126. This may be because first actuator mounting hole pattern 118
may be intended to accommodate an actuator with a smaller mounting
interface than the actuator accommodated by second actuator
mounting hole pattern 126. For example, in some embodiments, first
actuator mounting hole pattern 118 includes mounting holes 120 in a
36 mm diameter mounting bolt circle, while second actuator mounting
hole pattern 126 includes mounting holes 128 in a 50 mm diameter
mounting bolt circle. In other words, first actuator mounting
pattern height 122 is smaller than second actuator mounting pattern
height 130, and first actuator mounting pattern width 124 is
smaller than second actuator mounting pattern width 132. Although
the mounting patterns 118 and 126 of FIGS. 1-2 are square (i.e.,
first actuator pattern height 122 is equal to pattern width 124,
and second actuator pattern height 130 is equal to pattern width
132), mounting patterns 118 and 126 may be any pattern required to
couple to the mounting features of the actuator intended to drive
the damper.
As shown in FIGS. 1-2, first actuator mounting hole pattern 118 and
second actuator mounting hole pattern 126 each include four
mounting holes 120 and 128. In other embodiments, hole patterns 118
and 126 may include any number of mounting holes 120 and 128
required to accommodate an actuator mounting interface. In
addition, the diameters of mounting holes 120 and 128 may be any
size required to receive mounting features of the actuator.
In various embodiments, mounting bracket 102 additionally includes
at least one mounting bracket mounting flange 108. For example, as
shown in FIGS. 1-2, mounting bracket 102 may include a mounting
flange 108 at each end of the first actuator mounting flange 104
and the second actuator mounting flange 106. In various
embodiments, each mounting flange 108 includes at least one
mounting bracket mounting hole 110. For example, as shown in FIGS.
1-2, each mounting flange 108 includes three mounting holes 110.
However, in other embodiments, mounting flange 108 includes any
number of mounting holes 110 required to fasten the universal mount
kit 100 to an intended mounting surface (e.g., the interior of an
air duct). In addition, the diameter of mounting holes 110 may be
any size required to secure the universal mount kit 100 to the
mounting surface.
Still referring to FIGS. 1-2, universal remote mount kit 100 is
shown to include a crank arm 134 with a slot 150, and a ball and
socket connector 148. In some embodiments, ball and socket
connector 148 may be configured to permit free translational
movement within slot 150. In other embodiments, ball and socket
connector 148 may be fixed at some point within slot 150, depending
on the geometry of the connected damper and the mounting
orientation of universal remote mount kit 100.
Turning now to FIG. 3, a side view of the universal remote mount
kit 100 is depicted, according to some embodiments. As described
above with reference to FIGS. 1-2, universal remote mount kit 100
includes a crank arm 134 that is coupled to the drive shaft 112 and
the ball socket connector 148. Drive shaft 112 is shown to include
a first drive end 114 and a second drive end 116. First drive end
114 may be configured to protrude through first actuator mounting
flange 104, while second drive end 116 may be configured to
protrude through second actuator mounting flange 106.
In various embodiments, both first drive end 114 and second drive
end 116 have a substantially square shape. Similar to the
dimensional variation between the first actuator mounting hole
pattern 118 and the second actuator mounting hole pattern 126,
first drive end 114 may be smaller than second drive end 116 to
accommodate an actuator with an overall smaller mounting interface.
For example, in some embodiments, first drive end 114 may be 9 mm
square, while second drive end 116 may be 11 mm square. In other
embodiments, drive shaft 112 may have a knurled portion between the
first drive end 114 and the second drive end 116 that increases
friction between drive shaft 112, crank arm 134, and coupling bolt
140, described in further detail below.
Crank arm 134 is shown to include a socket connector end 136 and a
U-shaped end 138. Socket connector end 136 is configured to couple
to the ball and socket connector 148. In some embodiments, ball and
socket connector 148 includes a hole 152 for receiving a damper
shaft or any other type of damper connection. U-shaped end 138 is
configured to couple to the drive shaft 112. Coupling bolt 140 may
be configured to retain the U-shaped end 138 of the crank arm 134
on the drive shaft 112. In various embodiments, coupling bolt 140
may be a carriage-style bolt secured by a flange nut 142, although
any suitable type of fastener (e.g., bolt, threaded stud) and
securing mechanism (e.g., hex nut, lock nut, wing nut) may be
utilized to couple the drive shaft 112 to the crank arm 134.
Universal remote mount kit 100 is further shown to include a first
bearing 144 and a second bearing 146. Bearings 144-146 may be
located proximate to drive shaft 112 to minimize wear caused by the
rotation of drive shaft 112 and crank arm 134 on the bearing
surfaces of mounting bracket 102. In various embodiments, first
bearing 144 may be located between first actuator mounting flange
104 and the U-shaped end 138 of the crank arm 134. Second bearing
146 may be located between second actuator mounting flange 106 and
the U-shaped end 138 of the crank arm 134. Bearings 144-146 may be
fabricated from any suitable material (e.g., stainless steel,
chrome steel) that minimizes wear to mounting bracket 102.
Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, universal remote mount kit 100 may be
formed or constructed from a variety of materials and in a variety
of manners. For example and in one embodiment, mounting bracket 102
may be of unitary construction (i.e., all one piece), where
mounting bracket 102 may be molded, extruded, cast,
formed/machined, etc. In another embodiment, first actuator
mounting flange 104 and second actuator mounting flange 106 may be
fabricated as separate components. As such, first actuator mounting
flange 104 and second actuator mounting flange 106 may be joined by
any suitable manner (e.g., a bonding agent, a fastener).
Accordingly, mounting bracket 102 and crank arm 134 may be
constructed from any suitable material, including, but not limited
to, metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum), metal alloys,
plastic, composites, and/or any combination thereof.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a universal remote
mount assembly 300 is shown, according to some embodiments.
Universal remote mount assembly 300 is shown to include the
universal remote mount kit 100 and an actuator 200. In various
embodiments, actuator 200 may be a linear actuator (e.g., a linear
proportional actuator), a non-linear actuator, a spring return
actuator, or a non-spring return actuator. In some embodiments,
actuator 200 is an M9000 series actuator sold by Johnson Controls,
Inc. As described above, actuator 200 may include features (e.g.,
anti-rotation posts) configured to fit within the first actuator
mounting hole pattern 118 or the second actuator mounting hole
pattern 126 such that a mounting face of the actuator 200 is flush
with the first actuator mounting flange 104 or the second actuator
mounting flange 106.
As the actuator 200 drives along its angular range of motion, the
drive mechanism of the actuator 200 coupled to the drive shaft 112
causes the drive shaft 112 to rotate, causing a corresponding
rotation in coupled components crank arm 134 and ball and socket
damper connector 148. In this way, the drive mechanism of the
actuator 200 causes movement of the damper coupled to connector 148
between an open position and a closed position. Although FIG. 4
depicts actuator 200 mounted on the first actuator mounting flange
104, if the mounting interface of actuator 200 is compatible with
the second actuator mounting hole pattern 126, actuator 200 may be
mounted on the second actuator mounting flange 106. If required,
due to the geometry of the damper and mounting location, the
orientation of crank arm 134 may be reversed (i.e., such that ball
and socket connector 148 points toward first actuator mounting
flange 104 rather than second actuator mounting flange 106) by
removing coupling bolt 140 and flange nut 142, flipping crank arm
134, and replacing coupling bolt 140 and flange nut 142. Similarly,
the angular position of crank arm 134 may be modified relative to
drive shaft 112 by loosening coupling bolt 140 and flange nut 142,
adjusting the position of crank arm 134, and re-fastening coupling
bolt 140 and flange nut 142.
The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as
shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only.
Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in
this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations
in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the
various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use
of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the
position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied and the
nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered
or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other
substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in
the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary
embodiments without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure.
* * * * *